UKZN’s dermatology heads scoops major health award

Head of Dermatology and former Dean of Clinical Medicine, Professor Ncoza Dlova, received a Momentum Health Lifetime Award at the KwaZulu-Natal Doctors Healthcare Coalition (KZNDHC) annual gala dinner and awards ceremony.

Momentum Health and KZNDHC said the award was a testament to Dlova’s leadership in academia, as well as the quality and impact of her work.

Dlova’s research interests include ethnic skin and hair, global health and medical education, areas where she has consistently advanced representation and access.

President of the KZNDHC Professor Morgan Chetty congratulated Dlova for her inspiring leadership and the positive impact she has had on the Medical School and the general community.

Dlova sits on multiple international dermatology boards, including the American Dermatology Association, and the International Society of Dermatology. She is the first fully-elected African representative to the International League of Dermatology Societies since its founding, 89 years ago. 

Dlova – who prides herself on being the most published dermatologist in South Africa and on the continent – is the first Black woman Dean in the 75-year history of UKZN’s Medical School. She now heads the Dermatology Discipline as a National Research Foundation (NRF) B-rated researcher.

In 2022, Dlova received the Excellence Award for University Society Bridging and in 2023, was honoured with a Living Legends Award for her exceptional leadership and contribution to humanity. In 2024, Dlova received the Gold Award from the South African Medical Research Council for her contribution to research, a Fellowship in Art and Science Award from the South African Medical Association for her lasting impact on health and research, and the title of School of Clinical Medicine Innovator and Leader.

Momentum Health said Dlova’s legacy was one of visionary leadership, mentorship, relentless advocacy and a deep commitment to transformation in the health sciences.

“This mission reflects not only my own journey but the collective spirit of those who walk beside me,” said Dlova. “And who are those people? It is you, my colleagues; my patients; my family; my students and of course, my mentors,” Dlova said.

“As they say, a good teacher teaches, a superior teacher demonstrates, and a great teacher inspires. So, I’ve been inspired by a whole lot of you here, young and old. I want to stress that success is linked to failure. I have what I call a CV of failures,” she said.

“To the young people out there, this is how I interpret failure: ‘Failure is the first attempt in learning’. Always ask, what is failure there to teach you, so that the next time you encounter it, you are a better person.”

Dlova acknowledged her leaders and mentors in the room, including South African Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and applauded KZNDHC and its mission to promote and enhance quality, cost-effective, accessible healthcare to all citizens on the basis of sound economic principles.